Children with reading disorders--II. Effects of methylphenidate in combination with reading remediation.

Sixty-six children received individual reading instruction for 18 weeks, in combination with methylphenidate (mean daily dose 44.2 mg/day) or a placebo. Assignment to medication was random and double blind. Children were re-evaluated at the end of treatment, and two and eight months later. Only occasional and weak methylphenidate effects were obtained on measures of reading performance. Highly significant improvement in some tests of mathematics was found. No treatment differences occurred at follow-up. The results do not support the hypothesis that the enhancement of attention with stimulant treatment facilitates the acquisition of reading skills in children with pure reading disorders.